Leadership Development Starts with “We,” Not “You”
Nov 07, 2025Leadership development has always fascinated me.
In many ways, it’s a signal that something within the system isn’t quite working—much like marriage guidance. Both parties still want to stay together, but they recognise that something needs to change.
Traditionally, leadership development has begun with “you need to change.”
But real transformation starts with “we need to change.”
When organisations hand responsibility for change to internal teams—L&D, OD, or HR—they’re assuming those people can gather key stakeholders and facilitate open, honest conversations. But hierarchy, history, and politics often make that almost impossible.
Power dynamics and trust issues mean those conversations stay at the surface when what’s really needed is depth.
As an external partner, I’ve noticed how quickly that dynamic can shift. I can hold leaders personally accountable, help them name what’s gone wrong, and guide them to interpret the past constructively—not critically.
It’s what a good marriage counsellor does—and it’s exactly what effective leadership development requires today.
Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of working with organisations whose senior leaders have trusted me enough to take this approach—bypassing the traditional “programme” model altogether.
The outcomes have been faster, deeper, and far more sustainable.
And that speed matters.
Today’s leaders are operating in a world that’s faster and more uncertain than ever before. Traditional leadership programmes can take months—or even years—when what’s needed is transformation in weeks.
Starting with honesty accelerates everything.
Once fear, mistrust, and unspoken history are brought into the open, genuine development begins. And when it does, it gives teams a real competitive edge.
It’s not neat work. It’s rarely comfortable. But it’s real.
And that’s where true transformation begins.
(Which is why that photo of me covered in mud feels about right—it’s a perfect metaphor for the messy, honest work of leadership.)
Ready to lead change differently?
Let’s have the honest conversation that sparks real transformation.
👉 [email protected]